Though Brad Marchand remains focused on winning a Stanley Cup with the Panthers, he admitted he's pictured what it'd be like to re-sign in Florida as an unrestricted free agent.
"I mean, yeah, I've thought about it," Marchand told the media Sunday, including Florida Hockey Now. "But we'll deal with that in the future."
The veteran winger added, "The longest you can go (in the Stanley Cup Final) is two weeks, so you're in the moment that entire time. You can't have your mind in any other place other than right here and now.
"I've said it so often during this run, you have to enjoy these moments. They don't come often. There's no other thought in my mind right now."
Marchand is playing out the final season of an eight-year pact with a team-friendly $6.13-million cap hit, which he signed with the Boston Bruins in September 2016.
The Panthers acquired Marchand from Boston in a jaw-dropping trade at this year's deadline in exchange for a conditional 2027 second-round pick. The swap has paid dividends for the defending champions.
"He's an exceptional man," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said Sunday. "I've really enjoyed having him."
At 37, Marchand has proven that he has plenty left in the tank with an electric playoff run. He ranks second on the Panthers in goals (seven) and points (17) in 19 games while averaging less than 17 minutes of ice time per contest.
Marchand also played the hero in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, scoring a shorthanded goal in the second period before bagging the winner in double overtime to even the series.
"He could play until he's 47 the way he's going," Matthew Tkachuk said of his former rival turned teammate after Game 2.
Evolving-Hockey projects Marchand to sign a three-year deal with a $7.189-million cap hit. Florida has about $19 million in projected cap space, but Marchand isn't the only key pending free agent on its books, per PuckPedia.
Sam Bennett - this postseason's leading goal-scorer with 13 tallies - is on an expiring contract, along with defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Nate Schmidt. Rookie forward Mackie Samoskevich also needs a new deal as a restricted free agent.
Game 3 is scheduled for Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Sunrise, Florida.
